In this study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics in 2018, Azzam et al. investigated the potential inhibitory effects of lipoic acid and ascorbic acid on human amylin aggregation and cellular toxicity.
Amylin is a peptide hormone that plays a role in glucose regulation and is associated with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. In individuals with diabetes, amylin aggregates and forms toxic structures that contribute to pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance.
The researchers explored whether lipoic acid and ascorbic acid, both antioxidants, could inhibit the aggregation of amylin and reduce its toxic effects on cells. They conducted experiments using amylin and studied its behavior in the presence of lipoic acid and ascorbic acid.
The findings revealed that both lipoic acid and ascorbic acid were effective in inhibiting amylin aggregation. Additionally, these antioxidants showed the potential to reduce amylin-induced cellular toxicity.
The study suggests that lipoic acid and ascorbic acid have the ability to interfere with the aggregation process of amylin and mitigate its harmful effects on cells. These results may have implications for developing potential therapeutic strategies to target amylin aggregation and its associated toxicity in the context of diabetes.
Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of the role of antioxidants in regulating amylin aggregation and provides insights into potential approaches for addressing the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and related complications.